__________The United Church of Los Alamos
 
 
 

United Chimes:  Vol. 40, No. 3, March 2004















Table of Contents
Front Page News
  Mission Auction
  Please Take Note
For Our Children
  Children’s Worship
  Lego Night
  Vacation Bible School
  KAC
  Sunday Night Youth Group
Church News and Announcements
  Summary of the Congregational Questionaire
  Sanctuary Flowers
  United Church Library News
  One Great Hour of Sharing
  Holiday Highlights Refrigerator Calendar
  March Sunday Worship Themes
  Lenten Study Series
  Church Attendance
  Stephen Ministry Training Dates
  Coffee Hosts for March
  Lunch Bunch Callers for March
  Moms and More
  Reminders!
  Chimes Newsletter Deadline
  Chimes Newsletter on the Web
  Women’s Bible Study
  Parents or Interested Adults
  WCSS Circle Meetings
Member of the Month
Prayers, Praises, Thanks and More
  Prayer Concerns
  Prayer Letter Telephone Prayer Chain
  Congratulations
  Sympathy
  New Member Orientation
From Our Interim Pastor
  Lent
 


Front Page News

Mission Auction

Please Take Note
The next CHIMES  deadline is Sunday, March 21, 2004 at 12:00 noon for  the April 2004 issue.  Articles may be sent via email to:  
UCChimes@hotmail.com (note new email address) or put in the CHIMES Editor’s mail box in the Church Annex (room just outside the Church Office).

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For Our Children
Children’s Worship
March 7th  Jesus and Zaccheaus
                (feast day)

March 14th  The Good Samaritan

March 21st  The Great Banquet

March 28th  Jesus is King
 

Cathy Renfro is the coordinator for Children’s Worship.  Please contact her at 672-1189 if you can be a storyteller or greeter (helper).

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Lego Night
The second annual Lego night will be held March 11 from 6:30- 8:00 PM.  The entire family is invited to join us in Graves Hall for an evening of fun.  Snacks and Legos will be provided.  Children under 6 should be accompanied by an adult.

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Vacation Bible School
Vacation Bible School will be held June 21-25 from 1-4 PM.  We are using the Group curriculum Lava, Lava Island.  We will need a group of dedicated volunteers to make this happen.  An organizational meeting will be held Monday, March 15th at 12 noon in Graves Hall.  A light lunch will be served.  Please contact the church office if you can attend.  If you are interested in helping with VBS, but cannot attend, please contact Jean Picard at 662-2971.

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KAC
The next KAC event for 3rd-6th graders will be March 26th from 6-7:30 pm in Graves Hall.  We’ll be taking an “adventure” on the high seas.  There will be pieces of eight and pirate challenges.  Bring a friend and join in the fun.  The cost is $3.

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Sunday Night Youth Group
Come to the new youth group on Sunday nights from 7-8:30 in Craig Hall.  All 7th-12th graders are invited to check out the new funktacular Craig Hall. See you there! 

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Church News and Announcements

Summary of the Congregational Questionaire
submitted by the Senior Pastor Search Committee 

In December 2003, our committee collated the responses you provided on our Congregational Questionnaire. We received 161 completed questionnaires. We appreciate your input and want to summarize the results so those interested could get this snapshot of our congregation's wishes for our future pastor. There were 49 qualities listed, asking you to rate the importance of each. 

The fourteen most important qualities, in order of the greatest number of responses, were: 
1.  Delivers thought-provoking, uplifting, and inspiring sermons with sensitivity and wisdom
2.  Is outgoing, friendly and warm, communicating a genuine interest in others
3.  Is accepting of persons with divergent viewpoints, backgrounds and traditions
4.  Serves as an example of high moral and ethical character
5.  Ministers to the sick, dying, and bereaved 
     Has a strong commitment to team ministry and establishes a collegial relationship among the ministry team
7.  Works effectively with the entire worship team (ministers, children’s program and music director) and the congregation to develop a rich worship life 
8.  Delivers Bible-based sermons, applying Biblical teachings to everyday life 
9.  Is dedicated to maintaining harmony within the congregation
10. Encourages open communication throughout the church (i.e. encourages shared problem-solving and dialog among the congregation and staff )
11.  Has broad religious training and experience 
12.  Can lead challenging intellectual discussions on religious topics 
13.  Has sufficient supervisory experience to be an effective Head of Staff for all church business 
14.  Counsels people facing major decisions of life (i.e. church membership, marriage, divorce, and retirement) 

Twelve other qualities scored above average in importance:
15.  Is creative in planning and leading worship 
16.  Is a resource for personal spiritual development 
17.  Has a strong commitment to a teaching ministry (i.e. interpreting theological concepts and teaching church history) 
       Promotes enthusiasm for church activities that build an intergenerational sense of community within the congregation Counsels with people experiencing other sudden or special personal needs (see #14)
       Promotes enthusiasm for church activities within the congregation
21.  Fosters fellowship and a sense of community at church activities 
22.  Promotes The United Church as vibrant and ecumenical Christian church 
23.  Helps the congregation understand the Biblical foundation for action on social justice issues 
24.  Actively supports the implementation of the long-term vision and goals of the United Church 
       Demonstrates management skills on Boards and Committees, helping to guide progress, but allowing lay leaders to accept responsibility
       Believes in and encourages lay leadership in the life of the church

These 13 qualities scored slightly below the average in importance: 
27.  Identifies educational needs of the adult congregation, teaches adult education classes, serves as a resource to develop programs 
28.  Supports a strong and varied chora1 and instrumental program in worship 
29.  Addresses the needs of the differently-abled in the congregation, including the elderly, that they may fully take part in the life of the church 
30.  Makes personal calls on people in their homes as needed or requested 
      Works at bringing new members into the church and in developing evangelism skills in members
32.  Supports The United Church's goal for financial commitment to missions 
      Helps plan overall church strategy and assists with program development and evaluation
34.  Helps identify capable people to be leaders for church activities 
35.  Supplies new ideas for activities and projects; mentors and encourages staff, music directors,  Christian education leaders and Sunday School teachers 
       Supports the Personnel Board procedures for evaluating staff performance in accord with goals and objectives
37.  Has an advanced educational degree 
38.  Continues to develop his/her theological and Biblical skills through continuing education 
39.  Leads a life of balance between church activities and outside friends and interests 

Finally, these were the 10 least important qualities among the 49 listed in the questionnaire: 
Identifies educational needs of the youth, works with the youth and serves as a resource to develop programs
41.  Is aware of the special needs of single adults, and can be a resource for single adult programs 
      Participates in and provides leadership for interfaith organizations and community ecumenical worship 
43.  Identifies educational needs of the children of the congregation, preaches children's sermons and serves as a resource to develop programs 
44.  Acts as a resource for understanding and interpreting the mission of the church from both a local and a global perspective; works to discover additional mission projects that may need our attention and commitment 
45.  Works regularly in the development of stewardship growth 
46.  Becomes informed and involved with community organizations and social service agencies 
      Helps the congregation to know and become involved in the six member denominations of The United Church
      Participates in activities and conferences sponsored by the six member denominations of The United Church
      Helps plan church budget and oversees church finances

In addition, we asked for your written responses to three questions, and there were many common themes 
Responses to: "What are the 3 strongest points about our church? (with the number of responses indicted)
53  Friendly, caring sense of community, fellowship 
47  Diversity of views, thoughtful open-mindedness, individual interpretation of the scriptures 
39 Ecumenism 
     Lay leadership; active congregation; people sharing talents; volunteerism
    Team ministry; excellence of ministers and staff
27  Music program 
     Missions ( including 5 specifically mentioning Mexico Mission trip)
15  Christian Education 
      Church is good interfaith/community leader
  9  Diversity and quality of programs
  8  Covenant 
  5  Worship
  5  Youth program 
  4  Family oriented; family atmosphere
  4  Strong financially
  3  Growth in young families
  3  Adult education

Responses to: "What are the 3 weakest points about our church?" 

Insufficient / poor youth programs, youth ministry, youth involvement in church, mentoring for youth
20  Volunteerism problems: lack of, rely on the same people, over-extension of some, people too busy to volunteer 
17  Weakness in financial support; inadequate pledging (distinct from “poor financia1 planning")
14  Not welcoming new members/visitors; lack of follow-up on same; hard to get acquainted
11  Stodgy, complacent, not willing to change, narrow-minded, judgmental, too attached to tradition
10  Aged physical plant, inadequate attention to physical plant, need to maintain temperature at 68 degrees
8  Insufficient community social activities and outreach
8  Need more Biblical emphasis in education and sermons
8  Lack of attention to needs of the elderly (transportation, hearing needs, ministry to the elderly)
7  Lack of single adult program
7  Lack of spirituality (not stressing the Trinity); spiritual apathy; reluctant to talk about same
6  Inadequate vision
5  Christian education (not enough, lack of variety)
5  Over-programming, too many programs
5  Lack of inter-generational cooperation/mentoring
5  Poor cooperation (complaining rather than working on solutions, divisions remain due to past issues)
5  Congregation is aging, too few young people
4  Denominational concerns (not enough connection to our six affiliates, too many denominations
4  Poor worship attendance
3 Staff problems (lack of accountability for staff performance, evaluation, financial burden, coverage of responsibilities)
3 Over-staffed, too many ministers

Responses to: "Anything-else you would like to-add? 
Don't try to find all things in one minister

We should add that we omitted from this summary the dozens of additional comments that were only reflected in one or two responses, although we are taking those comments to heart in our search.  Thank you for your input! 

The United Church Pastor Search Committee: 
Mary Freese (Chair), Sandie Berner, Greg Boebinger, Altana Gray, Jerry Grindstaff, Paul Mutchslecner, and Jen Schmierer 

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Sanctuary Flowers
The  altar flower committee wishes to thank the following for flowers in January and February 2004:  the flower committee “thank you for Lynn Parker”, Mary Brooks, Kelly Myers, David and Irene Powell, Mary Jeanne Nilsson, Birthday flowers for Ella Jacobson, Rick and Judy Posada, Steve and Sandi Paglieri, and the Church Staff for Deb Worley’s last Sunday .

There is an opportunity to provide Easter lilies for the sanctuary on Easter Sunday.  They may be given in honor, celebration or as memorial.  Please call the church office to place your request.  The lilies are $10 each and may be taken at the conclusion of the 11:00 Easter Sunday Service.

Lynn Parker and the flower committee will be placing the flowers for the Easter Services.  Your help would be most appreciated, please call Lynn for details.

If you would like to provide flowers during 2004 please contact Dorothy Crawford.

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United Church Library News
Recent gifts to the Church Library:

Thanks to Phil and Barbara Seeger the church library has a new 12 volume set of "The New Interpreters Bible".  The books have general articles and introduction, commentary, and reflections for each book of the Bible including the Aporcryphal /Deuterocanonical books. 

 "Aerobics for the Spirit" by Bob 
Morley".  Reverend Morley helps us to "see life as a joyful game. "  This book is an upbeat, down-to-earth resource for developing and maintaining a healthy spirit. 

New Books Purchased:
  
"Soon" by Jerry Jenkins 
" A New Leaf" by Thomas Kinkaide 
This is his newest one in his series.

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One Great Hour of Sharing
Please remember our One Great Hour of Sharing on April 4th, Palm Sunday.  On that day, Christians will join in helping those in need around the world.  Begun in 1949, One Great Hour of Sharing is supported by eight denominations and Church World Service.  Every gift you make through this offering yields funds that help relieve suffering and poverty throughout the world, including North America.  Please give generously on Palm Sunday to those in need around the world.  Coin boxes will be distributed to help you and your children participate in this valuable mission project.  April 4th is also the beginning of spring break.  If you are planning on traveling, you can turn your donation into the church office prior to April 4th.

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Holiday Highlights Refrigerator Calendar
February 29 
                   Discipleship Class joins the church
                   Deborah C. Worley last Sunday as our Youth Pastor

***********************************************************************
March 2      6 pm Christian Education Board in Lounge

March 6      9 am – 5:30 pm Stephen Ministry Training Retreat,     Lounge

March 7      8 am Children's Sub-Committee in Room 115
                 12:00 noon New Member Orientation in Lounge
                 7 pm Mid and Senior High Youth in Craig Hall

March 8      7 pm Membership & Evangelism Board in Lounge

March 9      6 pm CE Board Youth  Subcommittee in the Lounge

March 11    6:30  pm LEGO Night in Graves Hall
                 7 pm Trustees Board in Library

March 16    6:30 pm Finance Board in Library
                 7 pm Elders Board in Lounge
                 7 pm Mission Board in Room 115

March 17th, 24th & 31st
                 6:30 pm Special Lenten Series in the Lounge
                 7:30 pm Sanctuary Chior, Sanctuary (next 3 weeks only) 

March 20    1 pm Stephen Ministry Training Class in Lounge
                 2 pm Set up for  Mexico Mission Auction

March 21    8 am New Member Breakfast in Lounge
                 2 pm Mexico Mission Auction Graves Hall

March 23    7:30 pm Executive Board in Lounge 

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March Sunday Worship Themes
 
March 7th On this second Sunday in Lent, Pastor Kathleen Logan will preach a sermon entitled “Jesus Stands Alone.”  The text will be Luke 9:28-36.
March 14th Howard will be preaching on “When Fig Trees Have No Figs,” and using Luke 13:1-9 as his text. His theme is that as the gardener pleads for the fig tree, so Christ pleads for us. 
March 21st Howard will be preaching on “The Prodigal Father,” and using Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 for his text.  He hopes to tell how God, as our divine
parent, is constantly generous with us beyond belief. 
March 28th Howard will be preaching on “Love’s Generous Gift,” and using John 12:1-8 as his text. His message is, “When you sense Christ with you, celebrate!”

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Lenten Study Series
On Wednesday evenings from 6:30-7:20 P.M.,  March 17, 24, and 31 Howard Grant will offer a Lenten study series on “The Significance of the Bible for the Church.”  A small study book by Anders Nygren, a Swedish theologian, with the same name will be given to each participant.  Choir will meet at 7:30 P. M. on those evenings in order to afford choir members an opportunity to attend.  Enrollment is made by phoning the church office at 662-2971, and is limited to 15 people. 

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Church Attendance
 
date 8:00 Service 9:30 Service
January 18th 22 195
January 25th 9 292
February 1st 26 176
February 8th 14 140
February 15th 28 137

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Stephen Ministry Training Dates
February Sunday 29th, 3-5:30 

March  Saturday 6th, 9-11:30 & 12:30-5:30
          Sunday 14th, 3-5:30
          Saturday 20th,  1-6:00
          Sunday 28th,  3-5:30

April    Sunday 18th, 1-6:00
          Sunday 25th, 3-5:30
  
May     Sunday 2nd, 1-6:00
          Sunday 16th, 1-6:00
          Saturday 22nd, 9-11:30 & 12:30-5:30

June  Sunday 6th, 3-5:30 followed by a potluck dinner

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Coffee Hosts for March

March 7th: Greg & Karen Boebinger March 21st: M.J. Nilsson and Adda Moldt

March 14th: Andrea & Sig Gerstl  March 28th: Gerry & Georgia Strickfaden

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Lunch Bunch Callers for March
Lunch Bunch Callers for March are:  Emily Nance, Sandie Berner, Pat Slentz, Arlene Stephens, Virginia Emelity, M.J. Nilsson, Gloria Gilmore-House and Ann Wadstrom.

If you would like to be included in Lunch Bunch but didn’t get into this year’s booklet, please remind me so I can add your name month by month.

Janet Tallman
Lunch Bunch Coordinator

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Moms and More
 Moms and More is a group of Moms who meet every Friday morning in the Church Lounge from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM for fellowship, food, to learn from speakers, to do occasional service projects for the church, and to support one another.  On March 5th, we will be having a baby shower for Deb Worley and Sylvie Johnson.  Their babies are due the end of March.  On March 12th, we are planning to learn a little more about Nutrition, Food and Safety.  On March 19th, we will be indulging in a Moms Day Out, where child care will be provide while Moms may choose their own activity for the next couple of hours, be it grocery shopping alone, a workout, a hike, shopping, manicure, hair appointment or a spontaneous get-to-gather with some other Moms at Starbucks; the time is yours.  On March 26th, we are still considering what might be offered.  We encourage anyone interested in participating to attend any of our meetings to help steer the group’s activity toward your interest and concerns.  All are welcome, even if your children don’t need the child care provided, as noted below. Come join us.

Childcare is always provided during Moms & More, and a $2.00 per child
contribution is greatly appreciated.

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Reminders!
Greeters for March:  Brian & Kay Newnam, Pamela Massey, Youth & Pat & Sean Reardon

Liturgists for March:  Cathy Erwin-Renfro, Karen Edwards, Lorna Cooper & Youth

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Chimes Newsletter Deadline
April 2004 deadline is Sunday, March 21st, 2004

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Chimes Newsletter on the Web
Now available on our WEB site!  If you prefer not to have a hard copy sent to you, opting to read the CHIMES on the web monthly, please e-mail us your request at ucoffice@losalamos.org or call the church office at 662-2971.

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Women’s Bible Study
Beginning Thursday, February 12th, there will be a women’s Bible study meeting from 12:30 - 1:30 on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of every month.  We
will meet at Laura Parker’s house, where there is an abundance of toys, so feel free to bring your children if necessary!  We will be reading and discussing Marcus Borg’s book, “Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time.”  Call Deb Worley (662-2971) for more information.

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Parents or Interested Adults
Parents or interested adults, please consider volunteering one or two Sundays in our two year old room during the 9:30 am service.  Curriculum and training provided.  Contact Jean Picard at 662-2971 or sign-up in the nursery area.

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WCSS Circle Meetings
 
Circle I Tuesday, March 9th
9:30 am at the home of Phyllis Phillips
Phyllis Phillips and Irene Wenzel, hostesses
CircleIV Tuesday, March 9th at
1:00 pm Bible Study in the Lounge 
Myrna Strong, hostess
Moms & More Every Friday, 9 – 11 am with nursery provided Lounge

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Member of the Month

     Energetic Hallie Bare, our new summer intern at United Church, is looking forward to working with the youth this summer. She says what appealed to her the most about being an intern at United was being around the church because most of her memories revolve around the church activities that she did with her friends. Now that Deb Worley has changed professions (yes, being a full time mother is a profession), Hallie hopes that she can help to fill the gap during this time of transition.
     Church activities have always impacted Hallie. This will be her fourth year as a part of the work crew for the Mexico Mission trip. For her, it’s amazing to be with people that are happy despite their poverty. She says, “they’d gladly give you their last morsel of food or other possessions. They give so much and are extraordinarily generous, which serves as a reminder that we don’t have to have tons of money to give something away.”
     The Mexico Mission trip has been amazingly spiritual for her as well—a group of kids that don’t know each other come together and accomplish an incredible task in the service of others. When they’re in Mexico, she can feel God’s presence there with them.
     Hallie moved to Los Alamos five years ago when her family relocated from Santa Fe. She did discipleship class as a seventh grader, which is where she met Deb Worley. As Hallie’s mentor, Deb helped her to understand her faith. Being with Deb kept Hallie coming back to United Church. Hallie admits she will miss the Thursday morning breakfasts and Friday afternoons that they spent together.
     She’s been very active in United Church activities. She became a member of the Board of Elders last year, and currently serves on the Youth Ministry Search Committee. This fall, she helped Deb with the mid-school youth group and spent a week last summer at Sonlight Camp helping Ashley Reader. She’s also been the daycare provider on Sundays for a year and a half. Outside of United Church, she was a youth leader for Wyldlife, a Young Life 
Program for mid-schoolers.
     When she’s not busy with all that, she performs in Olions. This year, she participated in ‘Curse of Frankenstein,” and will be in the one act plays at end of February. She plays ice hockey, participates in a weekly bible study, writes, rides her horse, and spends time with her family and dogs. Occasionally, when we have snow, she snowboards.
     Hallie will attend University of Denver this fall to study foreign languages, majoring in International Studies and Environmental Science or Eco-tourism. She has a passion for culture. She loves going to other countries to get a new perspective on the world. She’d love to help develop third world countries so that they are no longer third world countries.
     Her words of wisdom for us all? “Helping others makes a difference, even something small. Once you get involved in the Church’s activities, it’s amazing how much more connected you feel. It becomes something that lives in your soul, not just a place to go on Sunday.”

          By Angie Chipera

Email : halba14@msn.com 

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Prayers, Praises, Thanks and More

Prayer Concerns
Pat Spalding

Terry Langham

Ruth Miles

Jim Hudgins

Betty and Bill Wilson

Wilberta and Ed  Macmann

Joe Monack

Audrey Thomson

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Prayer Letter Telephone Prayer Chain
If you want prayer for yourself or someone close to you, don’t hesitate to call the coordinator, Shelly Wageman.

To receive the Prayer Letter, contact 
the Church Office at 662-2971 or 
email at UCoffice@losalamos.org

It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.
Acts 3:16b

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Congratulations
A baby boy, Justin Gregory Cayton, born February 16th to Beth and Greg Cayton, and the proud grandparents are Randy and Laura Erickson

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Sympathy
Georgene Nichols and family upon the death of Wesley S. Nichols, Sr;

Arnie Sierk’s family upon the death of his mother, Dorothy Sierk from New York;

Prayers for the family of William 
(Billy) M. Turner, (former member). 
 

Prayers for Patricia Spalding and family upon the death of her husband,
John (Jake) Spalding.

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New Member Orientation
New Member Orientation is scheduled at 12:00 Noon on Sunday March 7th.  Those interested in membership will meet in the lounge of the Christian Education Building for an orientation of our church and its multiple programs.  The new members will join the church Sunday, March 21st, following a new member breakfast.

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From Our Interim Pastor
Lent
Ash Wednesday has passed and we are now a week into the season of the church year known as “Lent.” But people of my ilk who didn’t grow up in a liturgical church, often have some difficulty understanding what Lent is about.
 I did some digging, and I find that at the simplest level, the word “Lent” 
derives from the Anglo-Saxon word, “length,” based on the simple idea that days are lengthening at this time of year. Ok, so days are lengthening. Anything else new?
 But we have to look further to get at the base of Lent’s meaning in the 
Christian year. For a long time it has been a 40 week-day period of penitence and fasting among many Christians. In early Christian history some of Christ’s followers would hold a total fast from the time Jesus died on the Cross around 3:00 pm on Passover Friday until he was discovered in resurrection around 6:00 am on the Sunday after Passover (Easter).
 These fasts without any water or food were quite severe on many of the faithful, and the early church in general moved to light fasting over a period of forty week-days, with each day symbolizing one of the hours when Jesus Christ was dead. Notice that Sundays do not count as fast days, because every Sunday 
symbolizes “a little Easter.” Therefore followers need to celebrate the resurrected Christ on those days.
 When I was a child I heard that Catholics have to give up something they like during Lent. Back then, it made me glad I wasn’t a Catholic.
 Now I’m thinking what I, and what we, might give up for Lent is some of our time. To meditatively read, say the Gospel of Mark, a little each day between now and Easter could make a real difference in many of our lives. To participate in one of our Sunday school classes, will certainly deepen our closeness to God. Even to take the class I shall lead on “The Significance of the Bible for the Church,” could make a difference in each of our appreciations for the Bible.
 An even more important way for us to use some of our truly valuable time in this season leading up to Easter is to do a few caring things for those kinds of 
people that Jesus mentioned time and again as great in the kingdom of heaven: little children, the hungry, the blind, those lacking clothing, those who are in prison, and others who are destitute.
 I encourage you to choose one ongoing thing that you are willing to do for Christ in these days leading up to Easter. And may God bless you richly day by day!
In Christ’s love,
Howard
Howard Grant, Jr.




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Questions about The United Church may be directed to ucoffice@losalamos.org
Last Modified 2/28/2004